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The History and Philosophy of Art programme has established research strengths in aesthetics, contemporary art, photographic studies, the philosophy of art, art history and in developing teaching approaches to the subject. These interests are reflected in the rich variety of modules we offer our students throughout their time at Kent.
Overview
Alongside traditional academic modules, there are also opportunities for practice-based learning and engagement with the visual arts, for example, by taking photographs, writing criticism, curating exhibitions, or by collecting art, on behalf of the department, for our growing and highly distinctive Print Collection. All of these modules provide both a high level of academic engagement with the subject and give you some of the key aptitudes required for future employment in a competitive job market. We also offer a year in industry option.
As a student of Philosophy at Kent, you do not so much learn about philosophy as learn to do it yourself. This includes not only studying major philosophies and philosophers, but also contributing your own ideas to an ongoing dialogue. You develop the ability to connect the most abstract ideas to the most concrete things in our experience.
Philosophy at Kent is a top-rated teaching department that was awarded the maximum score in its most recent teaching assessment. We have a thriving research culture with internationally recognised experts, and interests range from philosophers such as Hegel, Kant and Wittgenstein to topics such as philosophy of mind, ethics, aesthetics, logic, political philosophy, metaphysics and artificial intelligence.
Independent rankings
History of Art at Kent was ranked 6th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2016; Kent was also ranked 2nd for graduate prospects in History of Art in The Complete University Guide 2016.
In The Guardian University Guide 2016, Philosophy at Kent was ranked 4th in the UK for course satisfaction. In the National Student Survey 2015, 94% of Philosophy students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
History & Philosophy of Art
All modules are assessed by coursework – essays, presentations, image or text analyses and other module-related activities. We do not schedule exams. This approach to assessment helps you to develop an in-depth knowledge of topics within modules that are most interesting and relevant to your study, and to acquire a wide range of generic and transferable skills.
Our programmes emphasise a close working relationship with students. The academic adviser system ensures that all of our students have access to a designated tutor for pastoral support and academic guidance throughout their time at Kent.
All modules include weekly lectures and small group seminars, but a distinctive feature is that many modules involve visits to London galleries, overseas visits to museums and other out-of-classroom activities. Helping students to acquire independence of thought and the skills of autonomous study are central to our teaching ethos.
Philosophy
Teaching is by lectures, seminars, class discussions, and individual and group research, which is discussed in class. Assessment at all stages varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examination and coursework.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- produce graduates who have an informed, critical and analytical approach to understanding the history and philosophy of art
- develop existing and new areas of teaching in response to current research and scholarship within the subject as well as to developments within the contemporary arts
- foster the ability to think and work independently
- enhance awareness of sensitivity to the context of the production and reception of the arts over a range of historical periods
- develop a critical and analytical approach to interpreting art
- provide students with an informed knowledge of the principles of art history, visual traditions and traditions of art historical writing
- enhance students’ skills of interpersonal interaction and the development of critical reflexiveness in individual and group work
- provide teaching that is informed by current research and scholarship
- provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- particular forms of the visual arts and the way they can be interpreted
- the historical evolution of visual traditions, artistic movements, media and genres of art
- the works of a range of significant artists, with particular emphasis on the period from the Renaissance to the present day
- the cultural, social and historical contexts in which works of art are produced and their uses
- the technique and processes through which artefacts are made and constructed in the cultures studied
- modes, formal conventions and styles of representation in the fine arts, photography and related visual media
- critical and theoretical tools and concepts that have evolved for interpreting works of art
- methodologies and approaches to the study of visual arts
- substantive areas of current research in history and philosophy of art
- aesthetic theories and their impact on the production of art
- the relationship between different visual media and different artistic traditions.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in how to:
- engage critically and independently with the major thinkers, intellectual paradigms, scholarly literature and issues and debates within the subject
- understand the historical emergence of forms of visual culture and the nature of the discipline
- examine the historical, social and historical context in which art is produced
- blend empirical and historical information with concepts
- apply knowledge and experience to address problems within the subject
- analyse and interpret works of art in a manner that demonstrates critical evaluation
- critically reflect upon your own work and your understanding of the subject
- conduct various forms of research for essays, projects, seminar assignments and dissertations involving independent enquiry
- formulate appropriate research questions and employ appropriate methods and resources for exploring those questions
- draw upon and evaluate a range of sources and the conceptual frameworks appropriate to researching in the subject area
- reflect upon the underlying cultural and epistemological assumptions that structure the understanding of the subject.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- the ability to analyse and interpret visual artefacts with an informed knowledge of the conventions of visual traditions
- visual observation, description and analysis
- effective deployment of terms and concepts specific to the history and theory of art
- the ability to locate and evaluate evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources and interpret it in relation to relevant issues and enquiries
- the ability to draw upon and bring together ideas from different sources of knowledge including other academic disciplines
- the ability to articulate an understanding of visual media orally and in writing
- the ability to marshall an argument, summarise and defend or critique a particular interpretation or analysis supported by relevant visual, textual or other evidence
- the ability to evaluate a range of different methodologies and approaches within the subject.
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- communication: organise information clearly; respond to written sources; present information orally; adapt style for different audiences; use of images as a communication tool; present arguments cogently and effectively in written, spoken or other form, with the appropriate use of visual aids
- numeracy: make sense of statistical materials; integrate numerical and non-numerical information; understand the limits and potentialities of arguments based on quantitative information
- information technology
- team-working: define and review the work of others; work co-operatively on group tasks; understand how groups function
- improving own learning: explore personal strengths and weaknesses; time management; review working environment; develop specialist learning skills; develop autonomy in learning; the ability to listen effectively and so to learn from and participate constructively in discussion; organise and manage supervised, self-directed work; flexible and independent work, showing self-discipline and self-direction; the ability to update knowledge and skills, seek and use feedback, critically reflect on and improve performance
- problem solving: identify and define problems; explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them; focus and apply attention to detail; the ability to work diligently, to fulfil briefs and deadlines, and to take responsibility for one’s own work; gather, organise and deploy ideas in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively orally and in written form
- the ability to make subtle and discriminating comparisons of texts and visual artefacts; research and evaluate sources in the process of carrying out independent study; show an ability to draw on your knowledge and understanding of cultural issues in your engagement and contribution to contemporary society as workers and citizens.
Careers
History & Philosophy of Art
At Kent, we take the commitment to supporting and preparing our students for life after university very seriously. A degree in History & Philosophy of Art enables you to explore the history, meaning and nature of the visual arts, while also providing the skills for a career in the arts industries and elsewhere. Career options include museum curation, options in heritage and tourism, working as an archivist and art historian; art librarianship; arts shipping and insurance; arts therapy; auctioneering; craft studio workshop management; community arts/project development work; art dealing and brokerage; gallery work; heritage management; independent curation/art consulting; journalism; picture/provenance researching and photography.
Philosophy
Through your studies, you gain the key transferable skills considered essential by graduate employers. These include excellent communication skills, both written and oral, the ability to work in a team and independently, the ability to analyse and summarise complex material and devise innovative and well thought-out solutions.
Recently, our graduates have gone into areas such as teaching, publishing, journalism, media, marketing, the civil service and the legal profession.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL including Philosophy 5 at HL or SL where taken |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.